Net Protections, Inc. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shin Shibata; “Net Protections”) hereby announces that it will link its BNPL platform “atone” with Groobee (https://groobee.com) operated by BEENOS Entertainment Inc. (headquartered in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takuro Utsumi; “BEENOS Entertainment”). With this linkage, business operators using Groobee can use atone without any system development. This can largely reduce the process for the service installation.

What is Groobee?

A service to build e-commerce websites, specialized in content such as artists, animations and IP holders can create a website that is optimized for entertainment purposes and start with no initial costs.​ ​
Groobee can support creatives on website, customer service, and logistics, based on the information of products for sale. It is available to support a single-brand e-commerce website as well as a marketplace for companies managing several artists. 
Furthermore, Groobee can link with “Buyee Connect” provided by BEENOS Group, a cross-border sales support service, allowing customers from 118 countries and areas to purchase and receive Japanese entertainment products from overseas. 

For further information regarding Groobee: https://groobee.com(Japanese Only)

Background of the linkage with atone

Groobee provides e-commerce website support for major Japanese artists, and supports building websites with content specialized in artists, animations and characters with optimal functions for entertainment websites. This system linkage between atone and Groobee has been made by a request from Groobee users. After consideration, BEENOS Entertainment concluded to introduce atone into Groobee because it can contribute to convenience improvement and additional functionality for other users.

Expected effect of atone

atone is a cardless BNPL service ensuring a safe transaction for users who are not comfortable paying with a credit card. We expect Groobee users to be able to have a wider user base and contribute to sales growth through the introduction of the cardless BNPL payment service, which is highly demanded by the younger generation.

About atone

atone is a cardless BNPL payment service known for its easiness and clarity. Through the point reward system, merchants can reach 4.9 million non-credit card users (※A), contributing to the improvement of the new acquisition, LTV, and repurchase rate. It can be introduced in various industries such as E-Commerce, digital content, and even physical stores with reasonable service fee. Users can consolidate their purchases into a single invoice in the month and pay in the following month. Also, 0.5% of the purchase is rewarded as NP point and can be used for discounts. Customers can use atone immediately with a simple sign-up and easily check the usage status and purchase history any time on the app.
For further information regarding atone: https://atone.be/(Japanese Only)

※1）Source: Company information. The number of NP members (excluding the withdrawing member) as of Sep. 2020.

About Net Protections, Inc.

Net Protections, Inc. is a pioneer company in Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services in Japan and is leading the market with the largest market share (※2). In 2002, Net Protections launched its first service, NP Atobarai, a BNPL that guarantees risk-free transactions for businesses and provides a deferred payment for customers in Japan for the first time. In FY2020, NP Atobarai’s annual transaction volume has hit the growth rate of 116% compared to the previous fiscal year. NP Atobarai is used by numerous enterprises with over 15.8 million unique users in Japan (※3) and has processed more than 280 million transactions to date. In 2011, Net Protections released NP Kakebarai, a BNPL service for BtoB. NP Kakebarai has grown 127% yearly and played a role as the dominant BtoB payment service in Japan. In 2017, Net Protections launched atone, BtoC BNPL service with membership benefits that offers better shopping experience. In 2018, Net Protections released AFTEE, BtoC BNPL service in Taiwan. Net Protections has accumulated transaction data and knowledge since its first service launched, which has enabled it to build a sophisticated credit screening system and solid operation skills. Net Protections always pursues creating a society where everyone can do business safely and easily.

【Company Name】
Net Protections, Inc.
(Net Protections Holdings, Inc.[Code: 7383, Prime Market of Tokyo Stock Exchange] Group)
【Representative】
 Shin Shibata, CEO
【Website】
https://corp.netprotections.com/en/
【Services】
BtoC e-commerce Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) service, NP Atobarai
BtoB BNPL Service, NP Kakebarai
BtoC BNPL service for on-site services, NP Atobarai air
BtoC cardless BNPL service, atone
BtoC BNPL Service in Taiwan, AFTEE
Point reward program, NP Point Club
【Founded】
January, 2000
【Capital】
JPY 100 million
【Head Office】
SUMITOMO FUDOSAN KOJIMACHI FIRST BUILDING 5F, 4-2-6 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083 Japan

※2）Calculated based on the estimated size of BNPL market in Japan of JPY882 billion in FY2020 and the aggregate of GMV of NP Atobarai and atone in FY2020 of JPY360 billion. The estimated size of BNPL market in Japan is provided from Yano Research Institute “Online Payment/Settlement Service Providers 2021”
※3）The number of individual unique users of NP Atobarai based on the matching of duplicative names and phone numbers during FY3/2021 (April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021).

Company profile of BEENOS Entertainment Inc.​

BEENOS Entertainment supports the digital transformation (DX) and globalization of the entertainment industry by technology which is based on the data and know-how accumulated so far.
Together with all stakeholders such as content providers, artists, event venue providers and event organizers, BEENOS Entertainment will promote business to help Japanese entertainment industry expand its market as well as profit, and deliver content that can convey the charm of individual artists, to digitally transform the entertainment industry where both artists and fans can enjoy.

【Company Name】
BEENOS Entertainment Inc.
【CEO】
Takuro Utsumi
【Website】
https://beenos.com/corporate-information/company-profile/beenosentertainment/
【Business Outline】
Entertainment Digital Transformation Business
Operation of mobile ordering service "narabee"
Operation of create an E-Commerce website service "Groobee"
【Founded】
February, 2020
【Capital】
JPY 50 million
【Headquarter】
Gotenyama Trust Tower 6F, 4-7-35 Kita-shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 140-0001 Japan

Direct any inquiries regarding this release to:

Net Protections PR
Email: pr@netprotections.co.jp

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